The Pioneers Cruise Past CCSU in the First Game of the Season

Wednesday, August 12

Fairfield, CT

7:00 PM

Sacred Heart

1-0-0, 0-0-0

Central Connecticut State

0-1-0, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Central Conn. St.	0	1	1
Sacred Heart	2	2	4

Photo by: Daniel Boye

The Pioneers Cruise Past CCSU in the First Game of the Season

8/12/2026 9:32:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Pollack scores her first career goal

By: Joe Verrillo

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University women's soccer team opened the 2026 season in style on Wednesday evening, defeating Central Connecticut State 4-1 as SHU debuted its 2025 Metro Conference Championship banner.

Top Performers:
Shea Kelleher: 1 goal | 2 assists | 6 shots
Riley Pettigrew: 1 goal | 3 shots
Rylee McGee: 1 goal | 3 shots
Lindsay McShea: 1 assist
Quinn Pollack: 1 goal

Between the Pipes:
Sacred Heart: Kyran Thievon: (W, 1-0-0) 0 goals against | 0 saves | Casey Muligan: 1 goal against | 1 save
CCSU: Melina Ford: (L) goals against | 9 saves

How it Happened:
The Pioneers got off to a strong start in tonight's contest, putting two shots on goal in the opening nine minutes. The second was Rylee McGee with a wide-open attempt from the right side of the box, but CCSU's keeper made a moving two-handed save to keep the game scoreless.

SHU finally broke through in the 22^nd minute, capitalizing on a free kick from five yards out of the box. From a similar spot as McGee, Pollack soared in the air to head a goal into the bottom left corner to give SHU a 1-0 lead. Kelleher earned the assist by sending a beautiful cross in off the free kick.

The Pioneers wasted no time in the second half to add to their lead, as McGee made it 3-0 in the 53rd minute. After the opposing keeper dropped a SHU cross, McGee buried the rebound for her first goal of the season.

Kelleher continued her outstanding opener with her fourth point of the evening on a Pettigrew goal in the 61^st minute. Kelleher started the play by gaining control of the ball in her attacking third before finding Pettigrew at the PK circle, where she right-footed a shot by the diving goalie.

CCSU netted its lone goal of the game in the 62^nd minute and came inches away from a second in the 88^thminute before Gabriella Baiada cleared the ball off the line to settle the final score at 4-1 Pioneers.

Of Note:
Pollack scored her first collegiate goal.
Kelleher cracked four points in one game for the fifth time in her career.
McGee scored her fifth career goal
Pettigrew netted the third goal of her career.
McShea tallied her 15^th career assist
Kyran won her 16^thgame

Up Next:
Sacred Heart is back in action on Sunday, August 16, as they will travel to Burlington, Vermont as they are set to take on the University of Vermont Catamounts. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM.